{"id":4077,"date":"2025-10-30T09:52:41","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T08:52:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/?p=4077"},"modified":"2026-04-20T10:11:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T09:11:59","slug":"collaborating-across-disciplines-60-academics-work-towards-a-healthier-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/collaborating-across-disciplines-60-academics-work-towards-a-healthier-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Collaborating across disciplines: 60 academics work towards a healthier city"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>What makes a city healthy? And how can the university contribute to this health from different disciplinary perspectives? These were the questions behind an interfaculty reflection session organised by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uantwerpen.be\/en\/staff\/lieven-janssens\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lieven Janssens<\/a> (Social Sciences), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uantwerpen.be\/en\/staff\/jasna-loos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jasna Loos<\/a> (Medicine and Health Sciences) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uantwerpen.be\/en\/staff\/caroline-masquillier\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Caroline Masquillier<\/a> (Social Sciences &amp; Medicine and Health Sciences). Sixty academics from a wide range of disciplines (Social Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, Design Sciences, Law, Business and Economics, Applied Engineering, Arts), as well as colleagues from Antwerp University Hospital and our association partners AP  and KdG, exchanged ideas on how interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration can help make Antwerp a healthy city.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jasna Loos (research manager at Medicine and Health Sciences) and Lieven Janssens (coordinator of the Centre of Expertise in Public Governance at Social Sciences) share the conviction that<strong> academic work is only truly significant when it\u2019s rooted in social challenges.<\/strong> Yet the answers to major social issues are rarely found within a single discipline. \u2018Health isn\u2019t an isolated policy domain,\u2019 says Lieven. \u2018Its links with the environment, wellbeing, sustainability, social inclusion and mobility are much stronger than we often realise. We need a broader framework for thinking, which is why we organised this interfaculty reflection session.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 35%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>&#8216;The answers to major social issues are rarely found within a single discipline.&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u2013 Lieven Janssens<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5397 size-full\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:28px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Combined strengths spark new ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jasna, Lieven and Caroline didn\u2019t have to do much convincing to bring participants on board. After all, it concerns a broad topic in which many colleagues are already active. <strong>\u2018The enthusiasm was remarkable,\u2019 says Lieven. \u2018As soon as the discussion got going, connections were made and ideas began to flow.\u2019<\/strong> For instance, participants quickly saw the potential of bringing together research on healthy urban childhoods, on attracting healthcare staff, and on using policy questions from the City of Antwerp as the basis for master dissertations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"4080\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_groep-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_groep-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_groep-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_groep-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_groep-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_groep-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"4082\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_jasna-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_jasna-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_jasna-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_jasna-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_jasna-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/foto_jasna-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:29px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Four quadrants for a healthy city<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>More than 80 research projects now fall under a new integrated framework built around four quadrants: healthcare and wellbeing; lifestyle and living environment; policy frameworks and prevention; and children, young people and neighbourhoods<\/strong>. Projects such as <a href=\"https:\/\/citymove.info\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CityMove<\/a> (on the impact of active urban environments on non-communicable diseases) and the evaluation of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.antwerpen.be\/product\/smakelijke-school-onderwijsprofessionals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Smakelijke Scholen intervention<\/a> (nutritious school meals for children in Antwerp) are already demonstrating their value for the city\u2019s health policy. Recommendations from the strategic health plan, in which the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences played an active role, have also been included in the City of Antwerp\u2019s coalition agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:35% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5396 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>&#8216;The dynamic is growing from the bottom up. Researchers are eager to collaborate on health-related topics. If we can build on that by establishing a regular consultation platform with the City of Antwerp, there will be plenty of opportunities and possible connections to explore.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u2013 Jasna Loos<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:29px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Collaboration with the city as a catalyst<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Collaboration with the City of Antwerp is crucial. Building on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uantwerpen.be\/nl\/overuantwerpen\/pers\/persberichten-nieuws\/2023\/health-harbour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Antwerp Health Harbour<\/a> initiative, discussions are now underway to <strong>establish a city academy for health<\/strong>. Such a structural partnership promotes knowledge sharing, more practice-oriented research, stronger social valorisation and access to international funding opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018It really is a two-way street,\u2019 says Caroline. \u2018The city presents us with concrete urban health challenges, on the basis of which we can formulate relevant research questions and collaborate with the right local stakeholders. In turn, we provide the city with scientific insights that help shape an evidence-based health policy.\u2019 A win-win for both sides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018It\u2019s similar to the \u201cacademic workplaces\u201d in the Netherlands. This ties in perfectly with the <strong>rector\u2019s ambition to strengthen the university\u2019s connection with the City of Antwerp and the wider region<\/strong>, thereby playing an even greater role in society and the major transitions and challenges taking place there,\u2019 adds Lieven. As the rector\u2019s special envoy, he\u2019s also responsible for maintaining strategic relations with the Flemish government and local authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 35%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>&#8216;It&#8217;s a win-win for us and for the City of Antwerp. The city  presents us with concrete urban health challenges. In turn, we provide the city sientific insights for an evidence-based health policy.&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u2013 Caroline Masquillier<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5399 size-full\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:29px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First actions and next steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the coming months, <strong>two interdisciplinary working<\/strong> groups will be established: <strong>one focusing on healthy childhood development<\/strong>, and another on <strong>attracting and retaining staff in healthcare and wellbeing<\/strong>. At the same time, concrete progress is expected towards a formal long-term collaboration with the City of Antwerp and the recruitment of a <strong>postdoctoral researcher<\/strong> to coordinate the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shaping the future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The city academy for health illustrates the power of collaboration across disciplines and sectors<\/strong>. Social relevance, regional cooperation and scientific excellence go hand in hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018<strong>For me, this is exactly why I work at a university,<\/strong>\u2019 concludes Jasna Loos. \u2018To join forces with policymakers, colleagues from different disciplines, healthcare providers, patients and communities in the search for answers to today\u2019s major health challenges \u2014 and, in doing so, <strong>to help make the future a little brighter, especially for the most vulnerable groups.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to know more or join the initiative?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Research groups or staff members are still welcome to join. <br>Contact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uantwerpen.be\/en\/staff\/jasna-loos\/\">Jasna Loos<\/a> (Medicine and Health Sciences) or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uantwerpen.be\/en\/staff\/lieven-janssens\/\">Lieven Janssens<\/a> (Social Sciences)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What makes a city healthy? And how can the university contribute to this health from different disciplinary perspectives? These were the questions behind an interfaculty reflection session organised by Lieven Janssens (Social Sciences), Jasna Loos (Medicine and Health Sciences) and Caroline Masquillier (Social Sciences &#038; Medicine and Health Sciences). Sixty academics from a wide range of disciplines, as well as colleagues from Antwerp University Hospital and our association partners AP  and KdG, exchanged ideas on how interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration can help make Antwerp a healthy city.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":4085,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[234,607],"tags":[587,534],"coauthors":[74],"class_list":["post-4077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research","category-service-to-society","tag-healthy-city","tag-interdisciplinary-collaboration"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Collaborating across disciplines: 60 academics work towards a healthier city - Pintra (EN) Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/collaborating-across-disciplines-60-academics-work-towards-a-healthier-city\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Collaborating across disciplines: 60 academics work towards a healthier city - Pintra (EN) Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What makes a city healthy? And how can the university contribute to this health from different disciplinary perspectives? These were the questions behind an interfaculty reflection session organised by Lieven Janssens (Social Sciences), Jasna Loos (Medicine and Health Sciences) and Caroline Masquillier (Social Sciences &amp; Medicine and Health Sciences). 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